Self-proclaimed kings of metal Manowar and Magic Circle Music - the company owned by bassist Joey DeMaio - find themselves in the middle of a media storm because of their Dio tribute album (read: cash grab).

It all started when Manowar and Magic Circle Entertainment decided to "honor one of metal's greatest legends with Magic - A Tribute to Ronnie James Dio, featuring Magic Circle Music artists and friends performing some of Dio's most inspired work." Magic - A Tribute to Ronnie James Dio features a Manowar cover of "Heaven And Hell", while HolyHell covers "Holy Diver", with other performances of Metalforce, Jack Starr's Burning Starr, Feinstein and a thing called the "Magic Circle All Star Band" covering "Long Live Rock 'n' Roll".

According to a press release, the album - which will be released today in Germany - "is from the hearts of these musicians. It is not only their privilege, but also their duty, to honor Ronnie by singing his praises while singing his songs."

There was no word if any of the revenue generated from the sale of Magic - A Tribute to Ronnie James Dio would go to the Ronnie James Dio "Stand Up And Shout" Cancer Fund.

But - and here's where it gets sticky - ex-Elf guitarist, and a cousin of Dio, David "Rock" Feinstein responded to the release as follows: "I just found out that Magic Circle Music stated on their site that I was contributing a song to their proposed tribute album to Dio. It also states that I specifically wrote this song for Ronnie. This is totally UNTRUE! The song is called "Far Beyond" and was a cut on the Feinstein Third Wish album, released by Magic Circle Music (SPV) in 2004. The song was co-written by myself and John West eight years ago.

I am NOT a part of this Magic Circle tribute album, and will ONLY be a part of any tribute to Ronnie that is sanctioned by Niji Entertainment Group and Wendy Dio."

And then, Manowar director Neil Johnson issued the following statement defending the release, saying the criticism is fueled by jealousy. He stated: "I hope you all will enjoy it and please do not be influenced by some of jealousy and negativity being spread about this very heartfelt project, which I, along with many others who shall soon come forth, are very proud of. Magic Circle Music will be issuing a statement very soon but in the meantime let me personally express my feelings about it with some indisputable facts:

1. Joey DeMaio along with other members of Manowar knew Ronnie long before the people who are speaking ill of this project, with the exception of Rock Feinstein.
2. Joey and Ronnie were very close friends and no words of jealousy can ever change that, please look at the video that is forthcoming to see it for yourself.
3. In my opinion, Rock Feinstein has one person and one person only to thank for the fact that he has a career today and that person is Joey DeMaio.

The fact is... Joey signed him to Magic Circle Music personally, Joey not only made it possible for him to play at Wacken, but Joey played the song "Far Beyond" on stage with him. It is well known that Ronnie and Rock had not spoken to each other (not the first time for something like this to happen) for many months and Joey alone is responsible for reuniting them onstage that night.

Lastly, this tribute is being done in memory of a friend by his friends not for financial gain... Joey DeMaio trusts his fans, and his fans trust him... seeing this video will hint that there is a real, legitimate history (and reason) behind our Dio project."

Though in the meantime, also Ronnie James Dio's widow Wendy has slammed the tribute projects. She issued the following statement on the official RJD website: "I have seen lately on Blabbermouth.net a lot of announcements of bands releasing "so-called" Dio Tribute CD's. Please do not be fooled by thinking they are doing this for the Ronnie James Dio Stand Up And Shout Cancer Fund, the money is going in their pockets and not to the Fund. I find this totally disgraceful and upsetting that they are trying to make money off of Ronnie's death."

Only makes it more obvious that it's nothing else than one more cash grab from the Kings of Cheese.
It's a blessing there are still lots of underground metal bands to compensate for greedy corporate assholes like Manowar, otherwise I would have lost all faith in metal years ago. At least true, real metal still exists, despite all the sold-out posers who give a false image of what metal truly is and plague metal like a cancer.

Have you heard the cover version of Heaven And Hell. It has no emotion what so ever, the Jorn tribute has feeling and you can tell that RJD meant a lot to him. The Manowar cover is just pure shit, they didn't pay tribute in my book.

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Just because you believe in your strong morals it doesn't mean they are correct

Have you heard the cover version of Heaven And Hell. It has no emotion what so ever, the Jorn tribute has feeling and you can tell that RJD meant a lot to him. The Manowar cover is just pure shit, they didn't pay tribute in my book.

I haven't heard it until now but since I think anything Manowar ever made is pure shit, I expect nothing but crap.

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"Why would we fear death, when life is so much more frightening?"

This CD features many of Ronnie James Dio's finest moments with Rainbow, Sabbath and Dio performed by Manowar and friends. The songs are covered (or interpreted if you prefer) with care and respect. Highlights include Burning Starr's "Catch The Rainbow", Shmoulik Avigal's spectacular vocals on "Long Live Rock and Roll" and Awaken's Maiden-esque take on "I Speed At Night". Although most acts here are not well known, we do get a couple of 'name' bands: Manowar tackles "Heaven and Hell" with surprisingly good results considering this is one of those absolutely iconic, seemingly 'untouchable' songs, like "Stairway To Heaven". Goth/Power Metal sensations HolyHell (with singer Maria Breon, the only female vocalist on the entire compilation - hey, women like Dio too!) contribute an inspiring live version of "Holy Diver" and The Rods' guitarist (and Dio cousin) Rock Feinstein appears on an original tune, "Far Beyond", that features the superb vocals of John West (Badlands, Royal Hunt, Artension). Dio influenced a lot of musicians over the years and it seems to me like the performers on this record just wanted to honor that legacy. I'm not one to get involved in the politics of these discussions, but it would seem to me that if Manowar wants to make money, there have to be better ways than a tribute CD; maybe an original CD, for example, where they would own the rights to all of the music? Let's not forget that each of these songs had to be licensed for this CD. There are fees for that. Certainly Ronnie owned all or much of the publishing on these songs. That money must go somewhere, to someone and it's not Manowar. There are performing rights organizations who collect those royalties. And, at the end of the day, Dio's son stepped forward with an endorsement of this CD and suggested two alternates for proceeds to go to. So, I really don't see what all the fuss is about. I think the outpouring of tributes is a testament to the man's legacy. The profits from such a tribute, if there even are any, have got to be negligible. And why hasn't anyone mentioned Jorn Lande's tribute which was announced before this one?
http://www.amazon.com/MAGIC-Tribute-Ronnie-James-Dio/dp/B003STL0R2

wonder how much of the proceeds are going to the Dio family or the "Stand Up And Shout" cancer fund?

What's even more depressing is that it's a fucking reprint. Your basically giving Joey De Maio $300 to send you one of the fucking tackiest looking posters on the planet, and the man doesn't even have the common courtesy to give a reach-around supply a Goddamn frame. I love Rainbow, but dear lord I would be embarrassed to have that in my house.

----"I got a lot of really good ideas, problem is, most of them suck."
- George Carlin

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They shake your hand and they smile and they buy you a drink
They say we'll be your friends we'll stick with you till the end
But everybody's only looking out for themselves
And you say who can you trust I'll tell you nobody